Anaconda
Anacondas (Eunectes murinus) are the largest snakes in the Western Hemisphere. Adults measure an average of 20 feet (6 m), with recorded lengths of 33 feet (10 m). A 15-foot (4.5 m) long Anaconda may have a girth up to 42 inches (1.1 m). The head is small when compared to the size of its body. The eyes and nose are positioned on the top of the head, which is an adaptation to the aquatic environment. Because the anaconda's weight is usually supported by water, it can grow larger than arboreal snakes. Anacondas feed on a variety of animals, including fish, amphibians, mammals and other reptiles. Using constriction to kill their victims, Anacondas are able to swallow their prey whole by opening their mouths with jaws attached by elastic ligaments.

Golden lion tamarin
The brightly colored Golden lion tamarin (Leontopithecus rosalia) is covered with orange-gold, silky hair. Living high in the canopy, tamarins make their nests in tree hollows. Excellent climbers, tamarins have strong legs and sharp claws. The Golden lion tamarin's head and body are about 1 foot (30 cm) long, and the non-prehensile tail is slightly shorter. It weighs about 1½ pounds (.7 g ). Social and gregarious, tamarins live in family groups usually consisting of one adult pair and offspring of the previous 2-3 years. They usually give birth to twins, with the father and other family members carrying the babies and helping forage for food. Golden lion tamarins are omnivorous, feeding on fruits, vegetation, insects and small reptiles. Golden Lion tamarins, once considered the most endangered primate in the world, are now part of the most successful reintroduction program.

Burrowing owl
The Burrowing owl (Athene cunicularia) makes its home underground, allowing it to live in open, treeless areas. It is one of the smallest owl species, with adults being between 8-11 inches (20-28 cm) tall and weighing 4-6 ounces (113-170 g). They prefer to eat insects, small frogs, rodents and lizards. Depending on availability and the time of year, Burrowing owls may also include beetles, moths, crickets and snails in their diet. They are keen hunters and keep a supply of food in their burrows. Nests are dug underground or abandoned burrows of other animals are used. Unlike most species of owls, Burrowing owls are diurnal. Unable to move their eyes in the eye sockets, they rotate their head in order to see their surroundings.

Andean cock-of-the-rock
The Andean cock-of-the-rock (Rupicola peruviana) is a jay-sized bird, about 1 foot (.3 m) in length that lives near the river gorges of the Andes Mountains in South America. The males are easily recognized by their orangish-red, helmeted-shaped bushy crest that extends from the base of the bill to the crown of the head. Males are a brilliant reddish-orange over most of their bodies with the exception of the black and gray flight feathers on the wings. The somewhat drab female is reddish-brown in color. Andean cocks-of-the-rock can be found in forest areas where there are rocky outcrops, which provide shallow caverns for nesting. The birds live near the floor of the forest rather than in the canopy. They mainly eat fruits from the forest, but also consume insects and small vertebrates. They exhibit courtship display in arenas or leks (display grounds in which males attract females). Do not miss our lek cam showing other species of cocks-of-the-rock.